Starting device for internal-combustion engines.



Ensim Mensen, or iunnnosn, MASSACHUSETTS.

rSTAB/31N Gr DEVISE FOR ENTERNL-GOMBUSTEGN ENGINES.

Specification of Letters latent.

vPatented June 8, A191.5..

epplcetign med October 4, 1191,31. Serial No. 793.4719.

To ,all whom it may concern Be it known that l, FRANK MORGAN, a subjectof the Kingdom Aof Great Britain, residing at Melrose, in the countyof'MiddleseX vand State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and usefulimprovement in Starting' Devices for lnternal-Gombustion Engines, 4otwhich the following is e specification. reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a starting device for internal combustionengines in which fluid under compression is utilized as the motivepower.

The main object of my invention is to provide a starting device of theabove eheracter which is simple. etiicient and of low cost both inconstruction and operation.

Another object of lthe invention is to provide a device which isentirely self-contained and in which the iiuid :used for starting theengine is compressed by a pump or other device operated by the engine.

A further object ofi*k the invention is to save wear on the pump orother device used for compressing the .operating Huid, and to this endmeans are `provided whereby the compressing device is automaticallythrown into and outA of operation as required to maintain a constantpressure of Huid.

v Xn additional object of ,the invention is to secure en accuratedistribution of the comn pressed fluid to the proper cylinders in the.fluid which is compressed by the pump.

means for distributing the Huid under compression to the cylinders ofthe engine to start the same und means for automatically throwing thepump or other compressingr dcvice into and out ci operation as requiredto maintain a constan; pressure in the storage tank ln the accompanyingdim-Wings illustrat ing the preferred embodiment of my invention. Figurelis a diagrammatic View of an apparatus constructed and operated inaccordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical, central,longitudinal sectional view or the compression device and distributingineens; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the same, partly inelevation, on line 3 8 look` ing from right to left in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 isen elevation of the distributing device with the Adistribut-ing diskremoved, looking from right to left in Fig. 3; F ig. 5 is a sideelevation of the distributing disk.

Referring to Fig. l of the .drawings illustrating one embodiment ot theinvention epplied to .fi foul-:cylinder internal combustion engine, 7,S, 9 and 10 designate the four cylinaders. ll a main shaft, 12 a crankcase and -13 a fly wheel mounted on the main shaft,

all .of old and well known construction. The position iof the pistons inthe various cylinders is shown in dotted lines. To hold a supply of thecompressed operating iluid, y

preferably air, a suitable reservoir li is provided and connected to a.compressing device 16 by a Ipipe 17 and to a distributing device by apipe 18 controlled by a valve 19 which may be operated from a distanceby a rod 2O or in any suitable manner. From the distributing device thecompressed ii'uid is ,delivered to 1the cylinders 7, 8, 9 and 10 bypipes 2l, 22, l23 and 24 respectively. l/Vith Vthis arrangement thecompressing device forces the compressed fluid into the reservoirlthrough Ithe pipe 17, whence it Hows through the pipe 18 when the valve19 is open to `the distributing device Where it is delivered ,to thefour cylinders through the pipes 2l, V22, 23 and 24 in the propersequence. y

` Although any suitable form of compression means may be employed,prefer to use a pump of the form shown on an enlarged scade in Fig. 2,comprising a pump cylinder 26 mounted on a crank casing 27 and a piston28. The latter is operated by en eccentric 29 Within a strap 3 0 havingan integral arm 3l pivotally connected to a cross-pin 32 in the piston.The eccentric is held Within the strap by a projecting Hangs 83 on oneside and a cross-piece 34 fastened to the other side of the eccentric byscrews 35. The compression end of the pump cylinder may he provided withan inlet valve 3G to admit air to the cylinder when the piston is on thesuction stroke and with an outlet valve 37 to permit air under pressureto llou' into the reservoir through the pipe 17 when the pres soA shownin the drawings which consists of a ball 38 held in a seated position toclose the valve by a spring 39. `The pump cylinder may be provided withfins 40 for coolingv The means for operating the purposes. pump will bedescribed hereafter as they are intimately associated with the means foroperating the distributing device.

In the form of distributing means shown, I provide a circular disk 41mounted within a distributing chamber,42..,.which is formed in one endofthe-crak casing 27 and closed by a plate 43 bolted to the casing bybolts 44. The disk has an outwardly extending hollow hub 45 which ininterior cross-section is squarev to receive the squared end 46 of ashaft 47 in order that the disk may rotate with the shaft. Thedistributing pipes 21, 22, 23 and 24 are connected to suitable passages48 in the crank casing which lead to the distributing chamber 42 andenter it at four dierent points as shown in Fig. 4 where the disk isshown as removed. The disk is provided with an elliptical port 49 whichregisters with the four different passages 48 in rotation and admitsHuid under pressure'from the distributing/chamber to the cylinders 'inturn. The end plate 43 has also a central outwardly .exterdin hub 50 toconform to the shape of the dis and to accommodate a spring 51 whichbears at one end against the hub 50 and at the otherr end against thediskhub to force the disk into air tight engagement with the casin 27and to prevent leakage of air from the distributing chamber into thepassages 48. A pin 52 keeps the spring in centralposition on the hub ofthe disk. This spring may, however,

in some cases be dispensed with as the pressure of the air which flowsinto the distrib,- uting chamber through the pipe 18 from the reservoirwill generally be suicient to maintain a tight joint. The spring byexerting a continuous pressure prevents the disk becoming unseated whenthe valve 19 is closed and the air pressure reduced and therebyv thepressure in the reservoir reaches a certain maximum, without interferingwith the continuous' operation of the distributing means. It isnecessary that the latter means be operated continuously in order thatthe distribution .ofthe compressed fluid may be properly timed to flowinto the proper cylinders of the engine. Any means may be used for this.purpose and one suchis shown in the drawings. The shaft 47 which carriesthe distributing disk 41 extends through the crank casing 27 and hasmounted upon its outer end a gear-wheel 54 meshing with a gear-wheel 55mounted on the main shaft y 11 of the engine. The two gear-wheels are soproportioned that the gear-wheel 54.

makes one revolution for each two revolutions of the engine shaft in afour cylinder engine. The result is that the distributing disk 41/isrotated whenever the engine is operated. Upon the shaft 4 is mountedasleeve 56 to which the eccentric29`which perates the'pump is secured;the eccentric being provided with a hub 57 extending outwardly on bothsides and engaging at each end the crank casing 27. The sleeve 56 isrotated by the shaft 47 by means of a clutch of any suitable` form. Asshown the clutch comprises a female member 58 secured to one end of thesleeve and a male member 59 secured to the shaft Iby a key 60. Theclutch is thrown into and out of operation by moving the shaft 47,clutch member 59 and gear-wheel 54 as a unit.

In Fig. 2 the'mechanism is shown with the clutch in operative position.When it is thrown out of operative position the parts` are moved to theleft and for this reason the gear-wheel 54 is made wider in order toengage the lgear-wheel 55 when in either position. To operate theclutch. a clutch lever 62 pivotally fastened at its lower end ltoabracket 64 on the casing 27 may be provided, the lever having a yoke 65with pins 66 enaging an annular groove in the male member 59 4of theclutch. Thislever may be operated by hand or automatically as preferred.I have shown it as operated automatically by'the pressure in the storagereservoir so that 'when' the pressure in the reservoir reaches a certainpredetermined ma-ximum the ressure operates'to disconnect the clutchgmd)stop the pump 'or' pressure creating device and when the pressure fallsbelow a certain pre-determined amount the clutch is thrown intooperation to start the pump. To accomplish this result the pump cylindermay be provided with an extension on one side to form a chamber 69 inwhich is arranged a diaphragm 70 of leather or other suitable material.'the inner part of the c amber 69 with the chamber of the valve 37 andthe diaphragm `is 'at all times subjected to the pressure of the storagereservoir. To the center of the A assage 71 connectsl diaphragm issecured by a nut 72 and washers 73 a rod 74 which passes through theouter end of the extension 68 and 1s pivotally connected to the upperend of the clutch and the diaphragm` toj'prevent operation of the clutchuntil the maximum preure has lso l Limi-198 been reached in the' storagereservoir. To

prevent operation of the clutchz for slight yplaced therein in positiontol engage notches 78 in the rod 74;, the ball being held in position bya spring 79 and a screw S0. By turning the latter the pressure exertedby the spring may be'regulated andy the operation of the clutchcorrespondingly aifeeted.

v The operation of my device is as follows: The dotted outlines in Fig.1 show the normal position of the pistons when the engine is at restwith the valve 19 closed. To start the engine the valve 19 is openedwhich permits the compressed fluid to flow from thev reservoir throughthe pipe 18' into the chamber 42 and port 49 into one of the pipes tothe proper cylinder. The pipes 21,

'22,23 and 24 may be controlled, if desired.

by valves 82 and when so controlled allE ot these valves should' be.opened before opera t ing the valve 19. Owing to the fact that thedistributing disk 41 is operated directly from the main shaft of theengine the port 49 always registers with the proper opening `4:8 so thatthe compressed fluid when first admitted to the distributing chamberwill. ,flow into that cylinder in whichl the piston is on the firingstroke when the engine is running. The admission of the compressed fluidmoves the pistonzofthe engine which action rotates the main shaft andturns the ,distributing disk to the next opening i8 thereby admittingthe compressed fluid to another cylinder. The result is that the en`ginev is operated by the compressed fluid acting on the pistons in thedifferent cylinders in proper rotation until the explosive. mixture hasbeen drawn into the cylinders and fired by the ignition means. whichstarts the engine. To provide for a slight varia` tion in the locationof the pistons when the engine stops, the port 49 is elongated so thatit registers with one of the openings 48 even it the piston for thatopening is not at the extreme end of its compression stroke. After theengine is started the operator. bv manipulation of the rod Q0 closes thevalve 19 and thereby checks the flow of compressed Huid to thecylinders. W'henever, as for ini stance, after a startingr operation,the pressure in the starting reservoir 14 falls below the maximum and toa degree sufficient to reduce the pressure on the diaphragm so that thevspring T5. returns it to a normal position as shown 'in Fig. 2-ot thedrawings the male clutch 59 is thrown into engagement with the femaleclutch member 5S thereby causing a rotation ol' thc slccvc 56 to operatethe pump. For instance. if the maximum pressure in the storage reservoir17.5 pounds. then thc locking device comprising the hall 'T7 and spring79 should be so adjusted as to lock thc rod 74 against movement untiithe pressure has dropped some 25 pounds to 150 pounds; At this" point,by making' the properadju's'tments of the locking device the spring 7 5will overy` come the' resistance of the locking device i and throw therod 74 inwardly,4 thereby operating' the. clutch lto start the pump asabove described; As soon as the pressure is increased in the storagereservoir to the maximum, the pressure upon'the diaphragm 70 overcomesthe resistance ot the spring T5 and the locking device and throws therod 'Il outwardly disconnecting the clutch and the pump stops. Inconsequence the pressure iu the storage reservoir never exceeds 175pounds and never falls below 150 pounds.

, It will be noted that the automatic 'feature of this device is animportant one because it eliminates the necessity of'vfatchingthepressure in the storage reservoir aud at the same time reduces the wearon the pump to a minimum. Another important feature of my invention isthat the pump and distributing devices are operated independently oieach other. This is absolutely necessary bccause the. distributingdevice must be so timed that the compressed fluid will be admitted tothe proper cylinder in starting the engine and unless the distributingdevice is directly connected to and operated from the main shaft of theengine this result is impossible.

lt is to be observed that my device is of extreme simplicity, that it isentirely seltcontained. that it requires no electrical br otherextraneous power to operate it, and that it is so constructed that itcannot get out ot order or become inoperative.

Although l have 'shown and described my invention as applied to aninternal combus` tion engine having tour cylinders. l do not wish tolimit it to that particular kind or type of engine. since it may beapplied to any internal combustion engine having more or less cylindersthan four.

lt is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to theexact construction herein shown and described as it may be embodied inother forms ot' construction and l desire to claim it. broadly withinthe scope of the following claims.

What Claim isZ- l. A starting dm ice for internal combustion enginescomprising in combination with an internal combustion cugino a shaft,means on one end of said shaft for driving it from said engine. a rotarydistributer operated by said shaft a sleeve loosely mounted on said shal't. a pump operated by roe llt)

with an internal combustion engine a shaft, tion engines comprising incombination `4l means on one end of said shaft for driving; with aninternal combustion engine a shaft,

it from said engine, a, rotary distributer operated by said shaft,sleeve loosely mounted on said shaft, a pump operated by said sleeve andautomaticiieans for operatively connecting said sleeve to said shaft tooper.- ate said pump when the pressure of the workingluid falls below apredetermined point.

3. A starting device for internal combustion engines comprisin incombination with an internal combustion engine a shaft,

means on one end ofl said shaft fordriving it from said engine, a rotarydistributer operated by said shaftfa sleeve loosely mount ed on saidshaft, a pump operated by said sleeve and a clutch for operativelyconnecting said sleeve to said shaft to operate said um when thepressure of the working uid falls below a predetermined point.

4. A starting device for internal combustion engines comprisin incombination with an internal combustion enginea shaft,

means on one end of said shaft for driving it from' said engine, arotary distributer operated by said shaft, a sleeve loosely mounted onsaid shaft, a vpump operated by said sleeve, a clutch, and automaticmeans for operating said clutch when Athe pressure of the working fluidfalls below a predetermined oint. p 5. A starting device for internalcombustion engines comprising 1n combination with an internal combustionengine a shaft, means on one end .of said shaft for driving it from saidengine, a; rotary dstributer op-y erated by said shaft, a sleeve looselymountl ed on said shaft between'said driving means vand saiddistributer, a' pump operated by said sleeve and means for operativelyconnecting said sleeve to said shaft to operate said pump.

6. A'starting device for internal combusmeans on oneend of said shaftfor driving .it from said engine, a rotary distributer operated by saidshaft, a sleeve loosely mounted on said shaft between said driving meansand said distributer, a pump operatedy by;

said sleeve an'd automatic means for opera` 'i tively connecting saidsleeveto said shaft to.-

operate said pum when the pressure of the] working iuid fa s belowapredetermined point. 7. A starting device for internal combustionengines comprising in combination with` an internal combustion engine ashaft, means on one end of said shaft for driving it from said engine, arotarydistributer operated by said shaft, a sleeve loosely mounted onsaid shaft between said driving means `and said distributer, a .pumpoperated' byV said sleeve and a clutch for operatively 'connecting said'sleeve to said shaft to operate said pump when the pressure of theworking {iuid falls below a predetermined point.

8. A starting device for internal combus- I tion engines comprising incombination with an internal combustion engines. shaft, means on one endof said shaft for driving it from said engine, a rotary distributer opf`erated by said shaft, a sleeve loosely mount ed on said shaft betweensaid drivmg means Aas and said distributer, a ump'operated by saidsleeve, a clutch,an for operating said clutch when the prepure, of theworkinguid falls below a predetermined point. y

automatic -means` In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my i,

hand in the presence of two subscribing wtil nesses, this the second dayof October, 1913.

i FRANK 'Witnessem y Y CHARLES' F. RIonAnnsoN, 'E. F. Unno.

